So I thought I’d use my blog to share my weight loss story. And to begin with, let me tell you, please love yourself, your body, concentrate on being the best version of you. Do not, I repeat, do not let anybody tell you otherwise.

With that, let me jump to why I chose to lose weight; it’s simple – I was on the borderline of being obese, which, of course, is an invitation to a host of other ailments. Ummm so, I didn’t really want to be sick and all, you know, physically. What was worse, however, was the psychological effect that my weight had on me. Coming from a society that chides you and labels you for being overweight, this weight started affecting me; it got me depressed. I had to do something about it and believe me, I tried everything (will write about this in further posts) with no results.

Mind you, I was excelling in life (be it studies or anything else) but this was a downer. It was a battle I fought and lost so many times that I’d given up all hopes. And all it did was increase my weight. That number kept going up! When it touched 81.4 kg (I’m 5’3″ tall and that wasn’t good for me), I was full-on depressed . . . I sobbed, I despised what I saw in the mirror. Disdain. Disappointment. Desparation. I felt it all. It sucked. I couldn’t play this psychological game.

But I hung on and all it took was a trip to one of the most gorgeous places in India – Goa – to get in the mood (wait, get motivated) to play this game. I’d decided not to quit . . . I’d play and I’d win this battle with the mind.

OK so, the marriage thing is getting out of hand!!! Almost everybody is working overtime looking for a groom for me. Well, except me but I get the updates . . . No boy yet! And this got me wondering about the other reason (apart from me being too old at 30!) I may probably not be considered marriage material. And that is my education . . . Dang!!!

Before I continue to blabber, let me tell you that I have four degrees already and I am on my fifth and that fifth is Ph.D. Now, what’s the problem here, you may ask? Frankly, I don’t see any! Big deal! However, this made me recall an incident, right after I’d received my B.Ed. degree, where an auntie said the following words to my mother, “Don’t educate her anymore, she won’t get a husband!” Excuse me but huh???

It is unfortunate that our society still thinks the way it does. What has the number of degrees got to do with marriage anyway? I thought marriage was all about love, acceptance, and commitment. Oh wait! Wait just a minute there. Is this about the boy being insecure and all that crap?? Ah! I should’ve known . . .

This is sad. Really, why do we do this to our girls and boys? Why is it that such things even matter when it comes to marriage? I’ll confess that this did bother me. I did wonder if I’d get a man who’d not be bothered about my achievements. But then, I was back to being myself and now, I don’t give a damn!

“The rain dripped from the tip of his hat. He waited for her to come out of the apartment. The lights were still blazing bright in there and he watched her shadow move around, an unmistakable gun in her hand. He had to get to her. She was the key to save his client, who had nothing going for him at the moment.”

Perry Mason – the svelte attorney – continues to enthrall readers. Created by the great, Erle Stanley Gardner, the enticing charm of Perry Mason keeps you turning those pages. The way he dives into his cases, from coaxing his clients to be truthful to collecting evidence to cross-examining, Perry Mason will not let you to keep that book down.

A sly mind, a mischievous smile, and his suave personality make him an unforgettable character ever created. Perry Mason is the star of several of Erle Stanley Gardner books. Once you’ve read a book, you’d want to read more. There is no stopping. That’s how much Perry Mason (and Erle Stanley Gardner) captivates (I’ve read at least 50 books!).

To end, here’s what Hamilton Burger (the antagonist in the Perry Mason books) has to say about the attorney (in The Case of the Caretaker’s Cat, 1935), “You’re a better detective than you are a lawyer. When you turn your mind to the solution of a crime, you ferret out the truth.”

Let me just say it. I followed cricket only because I had a massive crush on Rahul Dravid. 😉 And then when he got married, as usual, my world was shattered and I never thought I’d watch cricket again!!!!!

Well, cutting out the crap, the game didn’t really fascinate me anymore. Really, I had better things to do. But then, I met a crazy cricket lover, who happens to be my very good friend. And, I know he’ll be beaming with pride after he reads this line, but yeah he re-introduced me to this game. And yes, gifted me this book. 🙂

So, me reading a book on cricket is a big deal, alright . . . And, I truly enjoyed it. Here are my thoughts about the book . . .

“The Insider by Aakash Chopra is a clean, well-written book. I have renewed respect for the game of cricket and the ladies and gentlemen who play this game. I’m still a little weak with the technicalities but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this work. The use of examples by the author makes things pretty clear (coming from the teaching fraternity, I really appreciated this). The snippets and the pictures (with a little tidbits from the pages itself) are also appreciated; a quick info sort of a thing. All in all, a very good read; a must read for cricket fans, those who really admire the game and it’s various facets.”

Yes!!! That’s the name of one of the coolest and cutest dessert places in Mumbai.

Now, fudge, as a dessert, in Mumbai is pretty unique. Usually, we Mumbaikars get our fudge fix from places such as Lonavala, where fudge is actually an in-thing! But now that Oh! Fudge is here, well, my fudge cravings have been taken care off!

Oh! Fudge let’s you indulge not only in fudge by itself (and they have a variety to choose from) but gives you the chance to delight your heart with fudge in the form of sundaes, sandwiches, and shakes. Also, if you’d like to gift fudge (somebody gift me that, please) to a friend or a special someone, Oh! Fudge provides you with alternatives such as gifting the fudge in a cup or jar.

So, the two times that I have been here, I went for shakes. Before I tell you what they consisted of, can I just say that they were sinful and yuuuuuuuuuum!

OK! Back to reality. Here are my shakes:

Classic chocolate walnut fudge with digestive biscuits as the topping.

Dark chocolate fudge with hazelnut topped with gems and marshmallows.

Oh! Fudge is a delight, really! You’re happy and you want to celebrate, go have some nice fudge here! You’re sad and you want to just stop thinking, dive into the awesome fudge here. Or else, just go for no reason because, like Oh! Fudge puts it, “It may not be the fudge you need but the fudge you deserve.”

Truly, this is heaven on earth! You’ll keep going here again and again and again . . .

My parents are highly positive that I am good marriage material; they’re hopeful, to say the least! What I do not understand, though, is the apprehension shown by several other personalities (beyond my parents) over me being marriage material. Why??? You got it. Because I am 30!

Yes, a thirty year old! OLD! That’s what I am, so to say. Too old to get a good husband. Huh, what? Can somebody define “good” in that phrase to me? Does it mean:

A “young” dude. OK, now I am thoroughly confused!! What like a fresher? Just out of college? That’d be a good husband, eh?

A “caring, loving, stable” guy. So, maybe those who’d be classified as “not good” wouldn’t be all of these things?? Hmmm. Yeah, I can’t even think!

A prince!!! Wow, anyone who married before turning 30 has a prince for a husband??

What is it about being a day over a particular age that makes me ineligible for marriage? Why, at 30, are my chances of getting a “good husband” so slim that it makes not only my mum but a whole group of aunties worry?

Does age really matter when it comes to marriage? Maybe it does (for some in our society) but so does your happiness. What really matters is if you’re ready to take the plunge! And, now at 30, I think I’m ready. And yes, my age in no way makes me less of “marriage material.” Well erm, I certainly hope my prince charming thinks that way, too. 😉

I’d been wanting to lay my hands on Adulthood is a Myth! by Sarah Andersen for quite some time now. And who wouldn’t, considering the crisis we face – adulthood!

Illustrated beautifully, Sarah Andersen depicts the life of an “adult” female through common situations of adulthood. The expectations versus the reality of “adult” behavior in those very situations are what every “adult” would relate to without a doubt. Sarah Andersen manages to strike a chord with her readers because we “adults” are just like her. Take a look.

Ooooo yeah!

So many complaints . . .

Exercising! Hell no!

We all go through what Sarah Andersen has depicted so wonderfully in her book. However, being “adult,” often makes us hide who we truly are. So, you don’t want to leave your bed till one in the afternoon but you can’t do so because, guess what, you’re an “adult.” Ding! You want to hog like a pig but you just sit there eating teeny weeny bites of your small dinner, all because you’re an adult! Dang! And, my favorite: “no complaining” because you’re a freaking adult; get to work! Dong!

Well, being an adult is a tough job, indeed, and Sarah Andersen, through her book has managed to capture this tough job in the most hilarious way! And, that’s the book (and I am its proud owner). And yeah, the title and her sweater are made of felt! Yay!!! Yay!!! Yay!!!